Airbus partnership explores VTOL services for Paris 2024 Olympics

Airbus, Groupe ADP and the RATP Group, along with the Paris Ile-de-France region and the French civil aviation authority, have announced the launch of a feasibility study to demonstrate an urban system of VTOL vehicles for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Airbus, Groupe ADP and the RATP Group, along with the Paris Ile-de-France region and the French civil aviation authority (DGAC), have announced the launch of a feasibility study to demonstrate an urban system of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The group says their research will encompass all components of land and air mobility and could develop a model for urban mobility, associated services and export potential.

The team’s goal is to integrate the entire value chain: design and production; maintenance; flight operations; low-altitude air traffic management; urban integration and planning; infrastructure, both physical and digital; and passenger interfaces.

Building blocks

The project is based on technological building blocks such as electric propulsion and autonomy, in order to comply with energy and sustainable development requirements. Work will include the investigation of secure public digital infrastructure standards involving public and private stakeholders to promote the development of the project.

Airbus says its objective is to establish best practices for the integration and operation of these new systems in a manner that is safe and respectful of users and the general public.

Airbus has a number of urban air mobility projects in the works, including helicopter-based Voom as well as Vahana and CityAirbus VTOL vehicle demonstrators, which are 100% electric, with zero CO2 emissions.